State Rep. Monica Bristow announces bid for re-election

Dylan Suttles, Dylan.Suttles@thetelegraph.com

Published 5:22 pm CDT, Wednesday, September 25, 2019

ALTON — State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, officially announced Wednesday that she will seek re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives 111th District that includes Madison and Jersey counties.

Bristow made the announcement surrounded by supporters at AltonWorks, including B. Dean Webb, president of the Federation of Labor of Madison County, and Madison County State’s Attorny Tom Gibbons.

“Things are going our way for labor with Monica in our corner,” Webb said. “We look forward to working with her.”

Gibbons said Bristow was the best person to continue representing the district.

”We need to see her there for the long term future to come,” he said.

Bristow initially was appointed to the General Assembly in December 2017 to succeed former state Rep. Dan Beiser, D-Alton, who retired. In 2018, she beat Republican Mike Babcock in the general election.

“I’ll keep working to improve the health, happiness and economic prosperity in Illinois and to be our voice — your voice — in Springfield,” Bristow said Wednesday. “I am truly blessed to be able to work with my local mayor, township and community leaders, many of whom are considered close friends.”

Bristow also discussed how she has worked with both Republicans and Democratic on nearly every issue.

“When we work together and meet in the middle, that is when our republic and our state is at its best and working for the best interest of everyone in the state of Illinois,” she said.

Bristow shared a story from earlier this year about a man dealing with health issues and suffering insurance problems, and how her office was able to help him seek benefits that he deserved. She also discussed Marlie’s Law which she sponsored after a Wood River woman whose granddaughter, Marlie, who died after a sleep apnea issue that could have been prevented with a cardiopulminary monitor that an insurance company had denied providing for the family.

“Cost should not be a side factor when it comes to a medical decision that will potentially save a child’s life,” Bristow said.

Bristow closed with a promise that she will continue to build “a stronger Metro-East and a stronger Illinois.”